Connie Lu

Professor Connie Lu, University of Minnesota. "Bio-inspired Bimetallic Complexes for Activating H₂ and CO₂.".  Harvard/MIT Inorganic Chemistry Seminar.Abstract:  We are broadly interested in developing first-row bimetallic complexes for catalysis, where using non-precious metals is sensible from economical and sustainability standpoints. The synergistic combination of different metals could generate hybrid “metals” with original properties and/or unique reactivities. We have investigated pairings of a late transition metal with a Lewis acidic main group ion to tune catalytic activity in activating H2 and CO2. I will describe the roles of the supporting metal in substrate binding, activation, and catalysis to inform future efforts in the development and optimization of molecular and heterogeneous metal–support catalysts.